Pretoria - Gauteng Economic Development MEC Qedani Mahlangu has launched a food security project in Moloto.
Launching the project on Monday, Mahlangu said the planting of Moringa Oleifera plants has the potential to yield a number of commercially viable products.
The Moringa Oleifera is a versatile plant family of shrubs and trees.
The Moringa Project was initiated by The Innovation Hub in partnership with the Moloto Communal Property Association, agricultural specialists from the University of Pretoria and a Moringa expert. The Hub is a subsidiary of Blue IQ Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd, which is an agency of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development.
Amanda Nair, CEO of Blue IQ, said the project was an important part of the company's commitment to support the green economy.
"The uses of the Moringa tree are varied, but the plantation has the potential to supply the biodiesel, food, feedstock, pharmaceutical, water purification and animal feed markets," she explained.
With the cultivation of the plant itself, business opportunities will arise in the areas of organic produce and small scale farming, said McLean Sibanda CEO of The Innovation Hub.
The leaves and powder obtained from the leaves are potentially viable for supply to the pharmaceutical industry, whilst the powder from the leaves is valuable in water purification systems.
The leaves are also sources of high quality seedcake and have the potential to be used in the production of animal feed destined for South Africa's meat and dairy industries.
Mahlangu said over 69 000 saplings of the tree will be planted by the end of March with the involvement of the Moloto community.
"This project represents an exciting opportunity for Gauteng to be at the forefront of innovation and we look forward to realising the long-term benefits for Gauteng," said Mahlangu.
The first harvest of the leaves will take place after June 2012 with the Moringa leaves will be the primary crop for the first few years.
The Innovation Hub is also working on setting up a training programme for the community so that it can sustain commercial operations from nurseries to beneficiation of harvested goods.
"The project is expected to begin making a profit after one year of operations as the first year's operation consists primarily of investments in infrastructure and seeds," explained Sibanda, adding that the project will be handed over to the community following the right training to run it effectively on their own.
"This project contributes towards addressing food security, energy security in the form of biofuels, mitigating climate change by reducing emissions and job creation - thus improving the lives of our people and boosting Tshwane's economic activities," said Sibanda.
